Take Five to Avoid the Fatal Five
This month, police are urging motorists to take five and check their behaviour every time they get behind the wheel.
The November 2019 Traffic Focus for the joint road safety campaign between ACT Policing and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate is the ‘Fatal Five’.
The five highest contributing factors to fatal vehicle collisions that occur on ACT roads are:
- Alcohol or drug impaired driving
- Speeding
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Intersections; and
- Driving whilst distracted
Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Detective Acting Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman said the 'Fatal Five' factors are easily avoided.
“We want motorists to take just five seconds before they start the car to think about what they’re about to do, as we hope it will make them drive more safely,” Detective Acting Station Sergeant Boorman said.
“Driving is something that becomes almost automatic behaviour, and it can be easy to have a momentary lapse that could result in serious injury or death.
“We’re asking road users – before they start their journey – to remind themselves not to speed, to minimise distractions like their phone, and to check their seatbelt is done up properly.
“Once you’re moving, obey traffic lights and road signs and if you’re under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances, don’t drive.”
Between 1 January and 31 October 2019 ACT Policing has:
- Completed 784 drink driving apprehensions.
- Completed 728 drug driving apprehensions.
- Identified 1223 offences at intersections.
- Identified 1094 Mobile Phone offences.
- Identified 182 seatbelt offences.
- Identified 3981 speeding offences.
That makes a total of 7992 infringements for 'Fatal Five’ offences so far this year.
This campaign forms part of the ACT Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 which prioritises a Vision Zero approach to road safety.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au